A look back at 30 years of Diboll Free Press clippings as a courtesy from the History Center

THIRTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK Photo Courtesy of The History Center Diboll Jaycees have elected interim officers and are discussing plans for the upcoming Jaycee golf tournament and other activities during the year. Newly elected officers are (left to right) Richard Oates, president; Beauford Chapman, internal vice president; Gary Jones, external vice president; Carlos Garcia, state director; Skip Richardson, treasurer; and Jeff Holberg, secretary. The group is planning a membership drive and will meet later this week to discuss that and other projects.

ONE YEAR AGO

A state historic marker commemorating a German prisoner of war camp is unveiled at the former POW site located on North Raguet Street in Lufkin.

The Lufkin Art Guild holds their annual Spring Art Show and Sale at the First Street Arts Center in downtown Lufkin. This year's show is dedicated to the memory of Pat Thompson, a former Lufkin Art Guild President.

Officials at the City of Diboll establish new website that offers interactive capability between citizens and city staff members.

The Diboll Ladyjacks softball team sweeps the Center Lady Riders 12-3 in the junior varsity game and 11-1 in the varsity win. In the varsity game, Ladyjack Chelsea Waters led the way with a single, double, home run, one run scored and four RBI.

Over 1,257 projects are judged at the 58th annual Angelina County Youth Fair. Angelina County buyers produced record-breaking $282,450 to purchase the projects.

FIVE YEARS AGO

Temple-Inland's Diboll manufacturing facilities resume production afte being idle for three days because of skyrocketing energy cost linked to weather related natural gas shortage.

Angelina County mourns the death of civic and industrial leader George Henderson, Jr.

Angelina College basketball standout J.J. Montgomery becomes top scoring Roadrunner in history, finishing his career with 1,767 points, eclipsing the previous record of 1,758 by Roderick Anderson in 1994.

Named to the 20-3A All-District First Team are Diboll High School's Desmond McGuire and Jermichael Finley. Fenley also captured the Most Valuable Player of the district.

Huntington Middle School is awarded first place in the county-wide Angelina Beautiful/Clean "Clean Campus" competition.

TEN YEARS AGO

Angelina County law enforcement agencies are awarded $20,000 in supplemental training funds from the office of State Comptroller John Sharp with $1,600 targeted for Diboll Police Department.

A special retirement reception is held in Mrs. Hogue's Cafeteria at Temple-Inland Corporate Office for longtime TI employee Sue Johnson.

Diboll pharmacist Richard "Dick" Albrecht is selected Pilot Club Citizen of the Month for March.

Mexia ends Diboll High School Lumberjacks basketball playoff hopes with 69-53 win in 3-A action. Diboll ends season with 23-9 record)

Rev. Bettie Kennedy of Lufkin transforms herself into Coretta Scott King, widow of slain civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to present show about Dr. King and his dream to Diboll school children.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Diboll businessman Sam Glass once again files for the city council election. Glass has run for the board several times and narrowly missed election last year.

Gary Mike Smith is named "Officer of the Year" and John Ray Baxter is named "Fireman of the Year" in the Diboll Volunteer Fire Department.

The public view Diboll's new Lottie and Arthur Temple Civic Center with formal dedication for the $1.85 million facility to be held Diboll Day weekend the first of October.

Ernie Murray joins the staff of The Free Press as reporter and photographer

Angelina County Health District Administrator Mike Czepiel tells board members that the budget for funding the indigent primary care clinic projects a huge deficit and that "closing" might be an option.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

John McGilvra, Diboll High School's winningest basketball coach, announce his resignation effective June 1, stating dissatisfaction with new polices handed down by current athletic director could ruin the basketball program.

The Free Press runs story of Diboll's number one baseball fan, Lewis (Pop) Jordan, whom the Diboll High School baseball field is named. The baseball park is located in Old Orchard Park.

Charles Ray Smith and Jim Tanner are the latest candidates to file for the Diboll City Council ballot.

Diboll High School present one act play, "Coming 'Round the Mountain" at the high school gym. Cast members include Peggy Chandler, Diane English, Susie Capps, Jan Glover, Rochelle Carter, Darryl Jones, Lanny Wilkerson and Robert Tatum.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bell celebrate 40 years of marriage with reception in the fellowship hall of the Burke Baptist Church.